The Colonel's Baby

by Kathleen Hope

  I stared at her. “What? No!” I went back to washing the plates. “What makes you think that?”

  Her eyes roamed over my face. “Nothing.”

  Something about the way she said that sent a shiver of deja’vu down my spine. My grandmother used to do that. And now my mom.

  And they were often right. I hated when they were right. But not this time.

  BORROWED TIME

  SATURDAY EVENING, TRENTON PICKED ME up at my parents’ house. He was very handsome in that tight black T-shirt. It showed off the muscles of his upper body. He’d taken care of himself. That was obvious. His khaki pants were creased just so. He even had the sleeve of his shirt rolled up, with what looked like a cigarette box inside the fold. I couldn’t help but smile. He looked the part of the 80’s bad boy. My heart started pounding as I looked at him. He was hot. His blue eyes took in my outfit. I wore a black leather mini skirt and knee high boots. The hot pink wife beater style shirt was clearly visible beneath the oversized white T-shirt that I’d cut the neck off of. It hung off of one shoulder and had multiple rips going up the sides, thanks to Tracy. She’d also helped me fix my hair in a teased style she’d seen in a picture. I looked like some middle-aged punk rocker.

  Trenton stepped up onto the porch. “You look amazing,” he said softly, looking me up and down. He moved closer to me and brushed a kiss along my cheek.

  I savored the feel of his lips against my skin for a moment. He’d never done more than given me these chaste pecks on the cheek since we’d been going out. While part of me appreciated his gentlemanly actions, another part of me wished he’d just kiss me. That same part of me wished that I was bold enough to just kiss him. I wanted to know how his lips would feel pressed against mine. Would his kiss be soft? Or would he try to chew my face off like-

  I pushed the thought aside. I didn’t want to think about him tonight. I wanted to have fun and feel alive again. I turned back, calling out over my shoulder, “Arrivedercci, Ma!”

  “Mi vuoi presentare il tuo amico?” Will you introduce me to your friend?

  Damn. I was hoping that I could just leave without having to do this. It wasn’t that I didn’t want my family to meet Trenton. I just didn’t want them to get any ideas that things were more serious than they were. And I didn’t want them grilling Trenton like they always liked to do to me but not to Marco. He didn’t need to know the craziness that was my family just yet.

  “Vorrei che tu mi presenti al tuo amico.” I would like you to introduce me to your friend. It wasn’t a request. I was caught.

  Trenton looked from me to my mother, who’d come to stand in the doorway behind me. His blue eyes roamed over her features before he smiled at her.

  “Good evening, ma’am,” he said quietly.

  My mom studied him for a moment, deciding whether or not to shake his outstretched hand.

  “Mama, this is Colonel Trenton Boone. My date for the evening.”

  Trenton passed me a look that I chose to ignore. For the moment. I gestured to my mom. “This is my mother, Raffaele De Luca.”

  Mama finally took Trenton’s hand. “Buona sera, colonnello.” Good evening, Colonel.

  Great. She was gonna pretend she didn’t speak English.

  Trenton smiled at her, seemingly not bothered at all by her cool attitude. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am.”

  She offered him a small smile. I knew that she was forming her opinions about Trenton just like Marco had. I swallowed the irritated breath that threatened to escape.

  “We’d better get going,” Trenton said. He seemed to understand the silence between my mom and I.

  I nodded. “Yeah. Ciao, mama,” I said, kissing her on the cheek. “See you later.”

  She patted me on the shoulder. “Divertiti.” Have fun.

  I nodded and followed Trenton down the steps. He opened the car door for me. I smiled up at him as I slid into the car, careful that my super short skirt didn’t ride up any more than it already was. Trenton’s eyes gleamed with desire as he looked down at my legs. Heat spiraled through me even as I felt a bit self-conscious.

  “You look so sexy,” he murmured. “I want to kiss you.” He sighed. “But your mom is watching.”

  From the corner of my eye, I saw Mama watching us. I slid into the seat and Trenton shut the door. He settled next to me and started the engine.

  “You really do look great. Like a rebellious teenager from the 80’s.” He snickered at his own joke. He cut his eye over at me. “Wanna skip the dance and sneak behind the bleachers and fool around with me?”

  I grinned even as my body hummed with growing desire. The image of the two of us hiding under the bleachers kissing, touching each other and otherwise making out flashed in my mind’s eye. I watched him as he pulled into the flow of traffic. He was cute and I found myself feeling the pull of attraction for him.

  “You didn’t answer my question, darlin’,” he said as he switched lanes.

  I smiled at him though he wasn’t looking at me. I liked this game. “What?”

  The corners of his mouth turned up. “I said how about we skip the dance and hide out under the bleachers?”

  “Sounds tempting.”

  “Would you let me kiss you?”

  A shiver ran through me. Would I? “Maybe,” I answered nonchalantly.

  “Would you let me touch you?”

  Oh my! I had to swallow the moan that rose up in my throat. Would I let him touch me? Part of me wanted to feel his hands on my body. But I was afraid. The last time I let someone touch me intimately, they tried to hurt me and I swore that I’d never allow anyone that close to me again. And so far, I hadn’t let anyone near enough.

  That’s not to say that I haven’t wanted to. I’ve been attracted to men, but never the way that I felt for Trenton. Because Tracy was the only one who knew what had almost happened to me, she would always offer to double with my date and I. I was more comfortable being in a group than being alone with someone that I didn’t know. I was always afraid of the same thing happening again. These past few times were the first that I’ve gone out with a man alone. Trenton had been a true gentleman, never once pressuring me or even attempting to kiss me. Though it made me feel better, I was beginning to wonder if he really liked me or was just using me to pass the time.

  “Where did you go?” he asked as he navigated through the crowded parking lot of Club Max.

  “Huh?”

  He smiled. “I asked you another question.” He turned off the engine and turned to face me. “Is daydreaming another Italian trait that I’m going to have to learn about?”

  I glanced at him quickly. But he was teasing me and I relaxed. “I guess,” I answered.

  “So?”

  “So what?”

  Trenton smiled again as he watched the people head towards the club. Most of them were dressed in 80’s garb as we were. “So, will you let me touch you?”

  I stared straight ahead out of the windshield. “Maybe,” I finally said quietly.

  He nodded and I was relieved when he didn’t press the issue. Instead, he got out and came around to open my door. I climbed out, his chivalry as refreshing as it was flattering.

  I took his outstretched hand and we walked towards the entrance of the club. The DJ was playing an 80’s glam metal song, and I found myself nodding my head to the beat. Even from outside the club we could hear the song clearly.

  Trenton grinned at me as the doorman marked our hands and allowed us to pass through into the club. I held onto his hand as he navigated through the sea of bodies until we made it to the edge of the dance floor.

  “Would you like to dance with me, baby?” he said loudly in my ear.

  I grinned, noting the reference to one of my favorite movies. “I would like that,” I answered.

  He led me out onto the floor and we melted into the throngs of people dancing. He wasn’t a bad dancer and I was beginning to have a good time. The worry of what could happen vanished as he took my ha
nd, twirling me around. My laughter was lost in the music and the noise of people talking. But he heard it and he pulled me into his arms.

  As if on cue, the music changed to a power ballad. Trenton held me close, his embrace loose in case I wanted to step away. I slowly put my arms around his neck and he smiled down at me.

  “That’s not so bad, now is it?” he teased me.

  I shook my head, smiling. “It’s nice.”

  “Yes. It is.” he agreed.

  We swayed together to the slow, steady beat of the song, another favorite of mine. I tensed as he pulled me closer.

  “Relax,” he murmured in my ear. “I only want to hold you. I’m not the monster your mom probably told you I am.”

  I laughed at his joke. “She didn’t say that.”

  “She didn’t have to.” He shook his head. “I’ve met a lot of mothers and they are all the same. No matter what outer they’re from.”

  I looked up at him. “You aren’t mad, are you?”

  He shook his head. “Nope.” He leaned down until he could whisper in my ear. “She’s not the one that I need to impress right now.”

  “Well I’m impressed,” I said. I pulled him closer and rested my cheek against his. He felt good in my arms and I liked the feel of his arms around me. When the song ended, we still stood holding each other. All around us, bodies spun and twirled to the beat of the fast song. But Trenton and I kept the same easy rhythm. Our bodies brushed with each movement sending heat flowing through me where we touched.

  Gently, Trenton cupped my cheeks, lifting my face to his. The world faded and time stood still as our lips met. I sighed as his tongue slipped past my teeth to explore my mouth. His kiss was gentle, not rough. He wasn’t trying to hurt me so I forced myself to relax and enjoy it.

  He pulled back, staring down at me. Hi thumbs brushed circles along my cheeks. “I knew you’d be sweet,” he said into my ear. “I don’t think I’d ever been so attracted to someone the way I am for you.”

  “You’re attracted to me?” I murmured. I wasn’t sure that he’d heard me with the music so loud

  But he had. “Yes. I am attracted to you.” He frowned down at me. “Do you find that hard to believe?” When I shrugged, he cupped my face again, brushing his lips across mine. “Believe it little lady. I want you something fierce. And I hope you feel the same way for me.”

  Hoping that I wasn’t making a mistake and misjudging him, I reached up and cupped his smooth cheeks and kissed him lightly on the lips. “Yes,” I said. “I think I am attracted to you.”

  He grinned. “You think?”

  I playfully pushed at his chest. “OK. I am.” I glanced away from him. “It’s hard for me to say things like this. I guess it’s been thrown back in my face so many times that I guess it’s easier to just keep it in than to say it.”

  He nodded. “Well, you can say it to me as often as you’d like. I’m not going to throw it in your face. Ever.” He caught me by the shoulders. “I won’t hurt you, Alessandra. Just give me a chance to prove myself to you.”

  I knew that I couldn’t keep comparing Trenton to the other one. He didn’t seem the type to force his will on another person. He didn’t need to. His sweet manner made you want to be around him. I’d give him a chance but keep my guard up. I didn’t want to be hurt again.

  “Okay, Trenton,” I finally answered.

  “Okay,” he repeated with a smile.

  We danced a few more songs before, breathing hard, we moved off the dance floor towards the tables near the bar. I sank into the chair, fanning myself with my hand. He sat across from me, his cheeks pink from exertion.

  I grinned at him. “You should be used to physical exercise, Colonel,” I teased him.

  He laughed. “Well it’s a little different when you’re dancing with a pretty lady,” he replied.

  I felt myself blushing under his compliments. I didn’t really know how to respond, so I looked away to watch the people still out on the dance floor. Trenton started to say something else, but was interrupted by the waitress stopping at our table.

  “Can I get you something?” she asked, her eyes roaming freely over Trenton’s face and body.

  He looked up at her. “A beer please,” he answered then looked at me. “Order whatever you like, darlin’,” he said.

  I tried not to smirk at the waitress as her expression cooled considerably. “A bottle of water,” I answered.

  Trenton gave me a look. “Just water? You can have anything you want, you know.”

  I nodded. “I know.” I looked up at the girl. “Just a bottle of water for me, please.”

  She gave me a, can’t hold your liquor, huh smirk. I stared back and she walked away to bring our drinks.

  Trenton waited until she’d come back with the two bottles before he said anything. He watched me unscrew the cap and take a long drink before he spoke. “You know you can have anything you want when you’re with me,” he commented.

  “Thanks.”

  “I’m serious.”

  “So am I. Thank you.”

  He gestured with his beer bottle to my water. “Why water? Don’t you drink?”

  “Sometimes.”

  He shrugged questioningly.

  “Someone has to be the designated driver,” I said, hoping he’d just leave it at that.

  But the Colonel was nothing if not persistent. He gave me a crooked grin. “You mean to tell me that your parents don’t let you drink?”

  I cut my eye at him. “Um, no. I’m Italian. I’ve had sips of wine before I was five. Anyway, that’s not the reason.”

  “Then?”

  I sighed. He wasn’t going to leave me alone until I gave him some sort of answer. “I just drink a lot of water, okay?”

  Trenton started to say something else but paused as the waitress came back to check on us. After she left us alone again, we talked about different things. I was relieved that he didn’t press me for details. We shared stories about our childhood, and I found myself being drawn in by his charm.

  After several more dances, he suggested that we call it a night. I agreed as I was tired. As we headed out, I noticed a photographer taking pictures of couples in their costumes. I tugged at Trenton’s hand.

  “Do you want to do that?” I asked pointing to the man.

  He nodded. “Sure. Something to remember tonight.”

  Moments later, we headed out. I admired the picture of us as he drove back towards my parents’ house. “We look cute together,” I commented.

  He glanced over at the picture. “Yeah we do.” He drove in silence for a moment. Then he said, “I don’t want to take you home just yet,” he said quietly. “It’s still early. We can go to my place and watch TV or something. If you want to.”

  I admit that I was curious as to what his place looked like. My mom said you could tell a lot about a man by the way he kept his house and treated his mother. But more than that, I didn’t want to go home just yet either. I wanted to spend a little more time with him too.

  Trenton must have mistaken my silence for refusal. “It’s okay if you don’t want to. I can take you home.”

  “No, wait,” I said quickly. I swallowed as the memories of the last time a man invited me over flashed through my head. “Just talk?”

  He lifted a shoulder. “Sure. Whatever you want. I might try to kiss you again. But I won’t do anything that you don’t want me to. I swear it.”

  Tell him no. Take you home, my mind admonished me. But the thought of feeling his kiss again sent fissures of heat through my body. I pushed aside the fear that was warring with the desire. Trenton wasn’t him. He was different. I was different. It wouldn’t happen again.

  “Okay. For a little while,” I found myself saying.

  He nodded and took the next light, turning away from my parents’ place. I watched closely, memorizing the direction that we were going in just in case I had to walk back home. I was surprised when he turned into the driveway leading to the base guardho
use. I don’t know why I thought he’d have a big house or something. I guess his mannerisms were so much like the old Southern gentlemen that I wanted everything to be like that. I shook my head, clearing the fairy tale that I was forming about him from my mind. I watched as he handed the man in the booth his ID and mine. The man glanced at me, nodded and passed the cards back to Trenton.

  “Good night, Colonel Boone. Ma’am.”

  “Good night,” I answered.

  With a start, I realized that he probably assumed that I was staying the night on base with Trenton. A sudden hot flash of desire washed over me so strong, I almost moaned out loud. Images of the two of us, spending the night talking, making love, talking and making love again formed in my brain, and I suddenly wished that it were true. But I knew it wouldn’t happen. Not tonight anyway.

  Trenton pulled into the parking lot and turned off the engine. He looked out the front window at the apartments in front of us. “Home sweet home,” he quipped. “Come on. Let’s go inside.”

  I followed him into his apartment. It was nice and clean for a bachelor. I reckon either his mom taught him to be neat or the military did. I grinned to myself. Maybe a bit of both. Hell, he could give Marco some lessons. My brother wasn’t exactly the neatest person.

  Trenton dropped his keys on the table by the door and turned to face me. He spread his arms out. “This is it,” he said.

  “It’s nice,” I said, looking around me.

  It was small compared to Tracy’s apartment. It was a one bedroom studio. Logical since he was a single man. There was a counter in the kitchen that separated the kitchen from the living room. His bedroom was open to the living room and I could see two doors that I assumed were the bathroom and a closet. It was perfect for him.

  “So that’s the tour,” he quipped. “Would you like anything to eat or drink?”

  I shook my head. “I’m okay, thanks.”

  He nodded and gestured to the sofa. I sat down, watching him turn on the large flat screen TV. Suddenly, I felt nervous. When we were standing and talking, it was okay. But now that he was sitting so close to me, in his domain, just me and him, my mind began forming scenarios and I waited for him to pounce. I glanced at the door, wondering if I was fast enough to make it out before he struck.